Thousands of households have just days left to claim cost of living vouchers and free goods worth up to £400 --[Reported by Umva mag]

HOUSEHOLDS have just days left to claim cost of living vouchers and free goods worth up to £400.

The latest round of the Household Support Fund (HSF) is due to close on September 30, so if you’re eligible for help you need to apply now.

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The HSF provides financial help to struggling households, and has been extended several times since it was first introduced by the Government in 2021.

The latest round saw £421million given to councils to distribute to those most in need in their area.

The amount applicants can receive is usually based on their financial circumstances and what benefits they receive.

Support can be paid out as a cash transfer, shopping vouchers or help with energy bills.

The current round of funding is due to end on September 30, but applications are still being accepted by some local authorities.

East Devon District Council is offering a one-off payment of £100 to households receiving a full Housing Benefit or full Council Tax reduction, with less than £3,000 in capital if someone living in the household is disabled or a carer.

The cash is also available to care leavers in receipt of Council Tax relief or other benefits.

Shropshire Council provides a one-off payment of £400 to households in receipt of Council Tax support with a dependant child, to help with household costs.

The application window for a direct payment has closed but those who have missed August’s payment run can still apply to have the funds added to their Council Tax account.

Coventry City Council has confirmed its scheme will be open until September 30 and applications can be made on the council’s website.

The council is offering support with food and energy costs as well as essential household items, toiletries, heating and lighting repairs as well as emergency expenses.

Medway Council in Kent is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.

Some could also qualify for electronic energy cards or e-vouchers to cover water bills worth £100.

Meanwhile, those living in Canterbury have just hours left to make a claim, with applications set to close tomorrow (20 September).

There are three different areas of support households can get – but you can only apply for one from the list:

• Help with food costs – £250
• Help with energy costs – £250
• Other essentials like period products, clothes and broadband – £250

Many councils have warned that funds many close early if all the cash is allocated, and some have already stopped accepting new applicants.

But it’s worth checking with your local council and if schemes are still open, it’s best to apply sooner rather than later.

Earlier this month it was announced that funding would be extended for the sixth time.

The news means that thousands more will be able to access support when schemes reopen in October, with the new round of funding in place until April 2025. 

Blackpool Council has already announced it’s support scheme will be extended until April 2025.

Households struggling with living costs could be able to access a £200 payment if there are one or two people living in their property, or £300 if three or more are resident.

To be eligible applicants will need to be over the age of 16, experiencing financial hardship and responsible for paying energy bills.

Every council will receive funding from the HSF in the next round of support so if you’re worried about making ends meet, keep checking your local council’s website for further details.

Schemes have also seen white goods and other support offered.

For example, Rutland Council offered residents free white goods, including air fryers, as well as food vouchers in the last round of funding.

To find your local council, use the Government’s council locator tool.

What is the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first set up in October 2021 and has now been extended six times.

Councils in England are now able to benefit from the latest round of funding which amounts to £421million.

Nationwide councils have received a portion of the cash to distribute to households in need.

But there is a postcode lottery to determine who qualifies and each local authority can set its own eligibility criteria.

Yet if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, or are deemed to be vulnerable or on benefits, you will probably qualify for help.

The HSF’s fifth round of funding will close on September 30, but the government has extended the scheme until April 2025 with the injection of a further £421million.

Applications may still be being accepted for the fifth round of funding, so it’s still worth checking with your local authority.

Applications to access the next round of funding will open in October.

Councils will determine how the cash is distributed. For example, households in Leicestershire have been able to apply for a financial award of £300 per household, which was paid in the form of vouchers to support with gas, electricity and food.

The payment could be delivered as a Post Office voucher, which can be redeemed for cash to help with gas, electricity or water, or an e-voucher to help with food costs that can be converted to a gift card for major supermarkets.

Meanwhile, residents of Leeds could receive council tax support with those with dependent children able to claim up to £100, while those without children could receive £25.

You should get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.

You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.

The help you can get varies, depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.

You may be able to receive free cash or vouchers to cover the cost of heating your home, or the weekly food grocery shop.

If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.

Additionally, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.

Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.

How do you apply?

To get the help, you’ll need to look it up with your council because local authorities are the ones responsible for distributing the funding.

To find your local council, use the gov.uk council finder tool.

Once you’ve identified your local council, there should be information on how to apply for the funding online.

Every council has a separate application process, meaning specific details regarding how to apply depend on whereabouts you live.

The eligibility requirements to access the fund might vary in addition so it’s best to check with your local council for further details.

Some councils won’t need you to apply for help and will get in touch instead if you qualify.

If you can’t find any information on your council’s website, it’ s a good idea to call them and ask for further information.

How has the Household Support Fund evolved?

The Household Support Fund was first launched in October 2021 to help Brits pay their way through winter amid the cost of living crisis.

Councils up and down the country got a slice of the £421million funding available to dish out to Brits in need.

It was then extended for a second time in the 2022 Spring Budget and for a third time in October 2022 to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.

The DWP then confirmed a fourth extension of the scheme through to March 31, 2024.

Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended the HSF for the fifth time while delivering his Spring Budget on March 6, 2024.

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